Port Angeles Man Sought After Highway 101 Pursuit Reaches Nearly 120 MPH, Sheriff Says

A 42-year-old Port Angeles man escaped arrest Friday morning after a supervisor ended a Highway 101 pursuit because of high speeds and driving into oncoming lanes, according to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Office identified the driver as Brian J. Arnold. Deputies later found his vehicle abandoned in the Port Angeles area.

Deputies responded at about 4:30 a.m. on September 11 to the Jamestown S’Klallam Longhouse at 271020 Highway 101 in Sequim after a report of suspected drug use near the gas pumps.

Arnold was seated in his vehicle when deputies contacted him. Deputies suspected he was under the influence of drugs and told him he was detained, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Arnold then drove away at high speed, according to the release. Deputies pursued him westbound on Highway 101, where the Sheriff’s Office said he drove recklessly at speeds near 120 mph.

A supervisor terminated the pursuit at Highway 101 and Blue Mountain Road because of Arnold’s driving, including his speed and travel into oncoming lanes, the agency said. His vehicle continued westbound.

About two minutes later, dispatch notified deputies of a two-vehicle hit-and-run collision at Highway 101 and Deer Park Loop. Deputies learned that the vehicle that left the collision matched the description of Arnold’s vehicle. The person identified as the victim was not injured.

A few minutes later, deputies found Arnold’s vehicle abandoned at Deer Park Road and Wall Street, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputies obtained a search warrant for the vehicle and found suspected methamphetamine, digital scales and drug paraphernalia during the search, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff’s Office said it had probable cause to arrest Arnold on suspicion of attempting to elude law enforcement, hit-and-run involving an attended vehicle, possession of methamphetamine and obstructing law enforcement.